Watertown PD: Small Dog Snatched From Yard By Coyote

WATERTOWN, MA — Watertown police are warning residents to keep an extra close eye on small pets outdoors. The department said in a tweet it was called to a home on Tuesday night for a report of a coyote attacking and carrying away a small dog from a front yard Langdon Avenue.

Coyotes are common in Massachusetts and remain active year-round and do not hibernate, so it's not out of the ordinary to see a coyote in your backyard. Coyotes are opportunistic feeders, meaning they will feed on whatever is most readily available and easiest to obtain, according to MassWildlife.

While they will scavenge roadkill and garbage that's easily accessible, they have been known to prey on unprotected pets, including house cats and small dogs in suburban areas. Police said residents should be outside with pets whenever possible.